10 Favorite Reads on Italy this week: June 13, 2014

Favorite Reads on Italy (FRI) is a weekly roundup published on Fridays featuring interesting articles, fascinating experiences, and handy resources that I’ve come across that week.

Spritz and cicchetti in Venice

This week’s roundup includes the reopening of an archaeological site in Rome after 20 years, a guide to the Venice Biennale, all about lardo, the World Cup and more.

Culture and Travel

Top 10 free things to see in Venice by The Guardian – We were in Venice last week and wish we had this this before our trip. Oh well it will come in handy for the next trip!

Tomb of emperor’s son reopens in Rome by ANSA – Always great news to see that archaeological sites are being restored and open to the public. This site on Via Appia Antica dates back to the 4th century and reopened after 20 years.

Venice Biennale 2014: details and guide by Telegraph Travel – If you are planning a trip to Venice between June 7 and November 23 you might want to check out the pavilions.

Food and Drinks

A day trip to Greve in Chianti, Firenze by Jul’s Kitchen – Love wine and looking for a getaway to the Tuscan countryside from Florence or Siena? Then Greve in Chianti is your place.  Look at all the goats at the farm!

Cinque Terre: a photo and foodie tour of five of the most picturesque villages of Italy by Slow Italy – Detailed guide of each of the town that makes up the Cinque Terre as well as recommendations for places to eat.

Sicily! Wine, Culinary & Cultural Explorations (PHOTOS) by Huffington Post – One amazing region that simply has it all. Food, wine, culture and one thing they didn’t mention, stunning beaches too!

Summer’s Most Refreshing Cocktail Comes From Venice by Forbes – When in Venice, we enjoyed “Spritz o’clock” with the fabulous Monica Cesarato who took us to taste the best cicchetti places in Venice.

The case for lardo by Ciao Lunigiana – Great read about lardo, clarification of what it is (and is not), as well as the process of curing. If you have never tasted lardo, you should

Life in Italy

Andrea Pirlo Is Italy’s World Cup Maestro by NY Times – It’s World Cup time and although Italy is not one of the favorites to win, we hope Pirlo will bring them to the later stages. Forza Azzurri! Who are you supporting for in this World Cup?

Italy swelters in summer’s first heat wave by ANSA – Basically the day spring left, summer came storming in! While we have all been waiting for summer, we didn’t expect the first week of summer to be a heatwave. It’s been sizzling. Check out this cool crowdsourced weather map for the latest updates.

Have you come across any great reads or resources on Italy this week? Share them with us in the comments below.